Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark sets up a sequel, so what can fans expect from the next set of scary stories? Here's everything you need to know.

Warning: SPOILERS for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

New horror movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark sets up a direct sequel, so what can fans expect? Directed by André Øvredal and co-produced by Guillermo del Toro, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is based on Alvin Schwartz’s short story collection of the same name. Dan Hagerman and Kevin Hagerman adapted the original spooky tales for the big screen adaptation. 

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark takes place in 1968. A group of Mill Valley, Pennsylvania teenagers band together against bullies on Halloween and end up exploring an infamous and seemingly vacant mansion. When Stella Nicholls (Zoe Colletti) finds a book written by Sarah Bellows, she's immersed into a tale of 19th century nightmares and real-life horror. Scary monsters compose new stories in Sarah's book, resulting in the disappearances of Stella’s friends Auggie Hilderbrandt (Gabriel Rush) and Chuck Steinberg (Austin Zajur). Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark concludes with the Pale Lady and the Jangly Man wreaking havoc in Mill Valley, while Stella makes a compromise with Sarah's ghost.

In Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Stella’s final voiceover reveals her plans for the future. Here’s what to expect for the probable sequel. 

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Sets Up A Sequel

During Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’s climax, the Jangly Man attempts to kill Stella’s new friend Ramón Morales (Michael Garza), who is revealed to be a draft dodger. At the local hospital, audio recordings reveal that Ephraim Bellows conducted experiments on his sister at that exact location during the late 19th century. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark reaches its primary conflict, as Stella convinces Sarah that she was victimized and inadvertently turned in a monster full of rage. Stella writes a new story in blood, and states that she and Ruth Steinberg (Natalie Ganzhorn) will attempt to find Auggie and Chuck.   

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2 will most likely be a direct continuation. Fans can expect the filmmakers to explore Stella’s life as a young writer and social outcast, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2 will undoubtedly be about the search for Auggie and Chuck, with the monster subplots aligning with the already-established historical subtext.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark 2 Release Date

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2 hasn't been green lit yet, and the likelihood of a sequel will depend on how the first movie performs at the box office. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark grossed $20.84 million in its opening weekend, which puts it on track to perform similarly to CBS Films' earlier horror movie, The Woman in Black. With a production budget of $28 million, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is all but guaranteed to end up turning a profit, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if a sequel was put into development soon. After all there's plenty more source material to draw from.

Assuming that Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2 is fast-tracked, the sequel could begin filming in the first half of 2020 for a 2021 release date. IT Chapter Two will be released almost exactly two years after the first movie, and it would make sense for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 2 to take a similar approach, targeting a late summer 2021 release.

More: Does Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Have A Post-Credits Scene?